As Suns batboy, Joey's practically in the game

June 26, 2007|By JANET HEIM

Editor's note: There are a lot of people you see around town that you recognize, but don't know anything about. People like...

Joey Kronawetter

Age: 15

Hometown: Hagerstown

Where would you see Joey? This is Joey's second season as a bat boy for the Hagerstown Suns. Joey, who just finished his freshman year at North Hagerstown High School, is one of six teenagers chosen for the paid position.

Two bat boys work each home game, one in the Suns dugout and the other for the visiting team.

"Yeah, it's a lot of fun. The players are really nice," said Joey, who added that his favorite part of the job is getting to meet and talk to the players.

Joey said he applied for the job - applicants must be at least 14 years old - to give him something to do and to earn some money. Last year, his friends thought it was "pretty cool" when he got the job.

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"My younger brother always complains because I have money and he doesn't," Joey said of his 13-year-old brother, Andy.

Joey said the bat boys decide among themselves who will work which dugout - Joey prefers working the Suns dugout, even though it requires a little more work. On a game day when Joey is scheduled to work, the first thing is to change into the uniform provided by the Suns, which stays at the stadium.

Then he gets towels for the dugout, fills the bullpen's water jugs with ice and water and makes sure there are cups for the coolers. If working the Suns dugout, it's the bat boy's job to get pine tar, sunflower seeds and the batting doughnut.

Joey said the Suns bat boy also has to give baseballs to the umpires when they ask for them, always being careful not to interfere with plays in the game. Both bat boys also pick up the players' bats and put them away after they've been at bat.

A Washington Nationals fan since that franchise started, Joey has played at Federal Little League since T-ball and now plays for Maugansville Senior League. He's also a good student, making the distinguished honor roll or honor roll each marking period.

Hobbies: "I like to play baseball like a lot. I have a younger brother, so we throw the ball around a lot," said Joey.

He is the son of Frank and Sharon Kronawetter and the family lives across from North High. Joey also has an older brother who doesn't live at home anymore.

Last year when he wasn't working, Joey said he went to a lot of Suns games.

During the colder months, Joey likes to play computer games, especially ones about World War II.

What does Joey like best about Washington County? "My dad, he likes the history that happened around here. I guess that's a pretty cool part," Joey said.

If you know anyone in the community who might make an interesting Our Town feature, contact Janet Heim at 301-733-5131, ext. 2024 or e-mail janeth@herald-mail.com.